A Few Notes on Safety

Safety can never be stressed too much. Remember to maintain proper gun safety at all times when pheasant hunting.

1. Keep your gun on safe and your finger off the trigger, unless firing.
2. Never point your gun in a direction that can harm other hunters.
3. When not actively hunting, unload the shell from the gun's barrel.
4. Taking a shot is second to safety.
   • Do not shoot at a bird if it is flying too low. It is best to either let the bird get away, or wait until it flies to a safe elevation. Low-aimed shots may hit a fellow hunter.
   • Even a high-aimed shot can "pepper" other hunters if you fire in their direction.

There are more safety tips in the hunting handbook from the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. Up-to-date information on South Dakota hunting laws and regulations can also be found in this handbook.

Packing List

Here are some items that you may find to be very useful when hunting pheasants. This packing list is by no means meant to be comprehensive, nor are any of these items required, except the shotgun, shotshells, hunting license, and a photo ID card. This list is only to help you get your mind thinking about what you may need.

There is a more comprehensive list that was prepared by Scott Linden of Scott Linden Outdoors. (Scott Linden Outdoors is a separate entity from LD Farms Maximum Pheasants.) The last known location of Scott's Ultimate Upland Checklist can be found by clicking here.

• Hunting License
• Clothing
  • Safety clothing - It is not only a good idea to wear blaze-orange clothing when pheasant hunting - it's also the law! This will greatly reduce the odds that a fellow hunter may not see you over the horizon. A lot of hunting gear, such as vests, come in orange.
  • Hat - You may want some shade for your eyes. A bright-orange hat is also a good idea.
  • Boots - Some type of outdoor-style footwear is a must. Footwear that has some type of ankle support is a very good idea.
  • Cold-weather gear
    • Polypro or a similar fabric
    • Gloves
    • Coat - Keep into consideration the fact that you will need to bring your shotgun up to your shoulder, so you may not want your coat to be too baggy.
    • Socks
  • Rainwear - A waterproof coat and pants, such as goretex, or a pancho may come in handy on rainy days.
  • Vest - A vest that serves as an ammunition carrier and a pheasant carrier can be very useful.
• Shooting glasses - These can provide either eye-protection, shade, or both.
• Pheasant carrier
• Shotgun
• Chokes - You may be able to get away with using an improved cylinder early in the season. However, as the season progresses, then the more likely it is that you will have to take long-distance shots. So, bring along your modified and full chokes, too.
• Shotshells - Don't forget some type of ammunition carrier, such as a vest or belt, to carry your shells when you're walking in the field.
• Shotgun cleaning materials
  • Solvent
  • Oil
  • Brushes, Rods & Patches- You should be able to find a shotgun cleaning kit that will contain these materials.